Lower-Division Requirements for the B.S. in Psychology
In general, the lower-division (LD) courses required for the B.S. degree in Psychology overlap with the B.A. degree. However, to fulfill the formal skills, we require the Mathematics sequence 20A, 20B, 20C. LDs for the major should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. These requirements will guarantee an adequate background for the topics of the upper division psychology courses:
Three lower-division, general introductory natural science courses from the listing of the approved UCSD courses below or their transfer equivalent. (The three courses can be distributed in any manner):
Biology: 1, 2, 3, 10, 20, 24, or 26 (BILD 12, 22, & COGS 17 are NOT accepted)
Chemistry: 4*, 6A, 6B, 6C, 11*, 12, or 13
*only one of Chem 4 or 11 can be taken for credit)
Physics: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 10, or 11
Math 20A, 20B, and 20C
CSE 3, 5A, 7, 8A, 8B, 11, 12
COGS 18 (COGS 3 will not count)
ECE 15
MAE 5, 8, 9, 10
Note: All Courses listed above may be taken Pass/No Pass.
Psyc 60 (preferred)
COGS 14B (formerly COGS 14)
SOCI 60 (formerly SOCL 60)
Math 11
Econ 120A
BENG 100
BIEB 100
Math 181 THERE ARE 4 MATH 181 COURSES A,B,C,D (difficult)
Math 183 (regular stats)
Math 186
Note: Statistics must be taken for a letter grade. All other lower division may be taken Pass/No Pass.
Upper-Division Requirements for the B.S. in Psychology
A minimum of twelve upper-division courses plus two Research Experience courses (8 units total), and a research paper* is required. Five of these upper-division courses must come from the Core courses (101-106). Of the seven upper division electives (107-193), three have to come from an area of concentration:
Cognitive Psychology & Cognitive Neuropsychology
Areas of concentration and their associated courses are subject to change -- for additional qualifying courses see the department’s Student Affairs Office, 1533 Mandler Hall, or email psycadvising@ucsd.edu. Majors must have departmental approval for electives taken outside the department. We recommend consulting the department before enrolling in courses offered by other departments.
Research Experience Requirement
The research experience courses will be completed through laboratory courses or Psychology 199 courses (Independent Study) totaling 8 units of research credit. Approved combinations are:
Psychology 199s can be taken for 2 or 4 units; but must total 8 units for the B.S. degree requirement. If two 4-unit Psychology 199 courses are taken to fulfill this requirement, they must be directed by a psychology faculty and culminate in a research paper approved by the primary advisor. Although it is recommended that a psychology faculty is selected within the chosen area of concentration, it is not required.